A kingdom of Ash and Echoes

Chapter 25- The Two Kingdoms

The Kingdom of Varyndal - A week later
The morning sun lit the spires of his palace. He held a letter in one hand, eyes scanning the distant horizon where the roads to Avaranth lay winding through forests and hills. "A month's journey," he muttered. "Long enough for the king to prepare, long enough for me to ready my own army, and long enough to judge them carefully. Every detail must be accounted for."
He thought of the army he would command, seasoned soldiers trained in both offense and defense. Discipline and loyalty would be essential, yet their confidence hinged on the strength of the king they were to support. Cedric would allow no hesitation, no weakness. The letter was clear: the king of Avaranth sought alliance, but only action would prove worth. Cedric's forces would wait, ready, and he would judge the king's ability to lead before the march began.

A servant brought fresh reports from scouts and messengers. Cedric scanned the intelligence, noting the state of the northern borders, potential rebel activity, and the roads the Avaranth army would take. Every detail mattered, every possibility accounted for. Cedric's mind raced, not with doubt, but with anticipation. The sovereign they were to meet would reveal themselves soon, and Cedric would assess them carefully.
He folded the letter with deliberate precision, placing it on the desk. "Prepare the orders," he said to the advisor. "The king and their army will arrive here. I will judge their strength, their leadership, and their resolve. Only then will we march together. And if they falter, we adapt. The northern rebellion waits for no one, but we will be ready for whatever awaits."

Cedric's gaze returned to the horizon, thoughts of strategy and leadership intertwining with curiosity. The next month would test not only the king of Avaranth, but the alliances between their lands. Every decision he made now, every instruction issued, would shape the success of their campaign, the survival of his troops, and the future of both kingdoms.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Let us see," he whispered to himself. "This king claims authority, but we shall see if they can wield it in reality. Every move, every word, every command will reveal their true strength... and I intend to see it all firsthand."
The letter rested on the table, the horizon stretched endlessly, and Cedric began the careful preparations that would define the coming month. His army would be ready. The sovereign of Avaranth would arrive. And when they met, Cedric would see the true measure of the king—whether ally, rival, or something entirely unexpected.